News

Second Wind Cottages Almost Ready

NEWFIELD (WENY) -- It all started here in Newfield, two Winters ago. Carmen Guidi bought eight mobile homes and helped men living in Ithaca's homeless encampment known as the Jungle, move out before it got too cold. All of them went up behind his auto body shop. When we spoke to him last Winter he told us, "Sometimes all it takes is for someone who cares for you to reach out their hand." But, as the temperatures warmed up, the Jungle got more people. Carmen wanted to do more to stop homelessness. This summer, he teamed up with Community Faith Partners and they put on their hard hats- working to build 14 to 18 cottages behind his shop. Today, they're halfway there. "We need to do a lot more. It's only six. We need to keep going," said Carmen. What's there now is all thanks to the community. Volunteers worked and raised money. Local people and businesses donated to the cause. "Our second phase we want to build a community building," said Guidi. "That's an extremely important building for this community and we need funding." The community building will give these men access to things that'll help them stand on their own two feet; giving them a second chance at life, or second wind. They'll pay rent as they're able. Men living in Carmen's trailers will move in first. He's still accepting applications, but before they can move in, Carmen's waiting for NYSEG to set up electricity wires. Carmen anticipates that'll happen this weekend.